Kade is TWO!!

Our Kader-bum in TWO! It is so hard to believe. This year we celebrated a few days early. Joe and I were heading to Hawaii and would be gone on his actual birthday. Kade didn't mind at all. We celebrated in Vegas with grandma and ate big cupcakes. We love our little Kade. He is such a happy, energetic and determined little guy. He is smart and so funny. He always has a smile on his face and is just too sweet. I love this beautiful boy. I love that we've enjoyed his sweet spririt for two whole years now. He is a blessing to our family, and has added to our livesincredibly. I am excited for the years to come.

Ben's First Accident

Three days after

BEFORE

TWO DAYS AFTER ACCIDENT

Over our Thanksgiving trip, up north, Ben had an accident where he fell onto some cement. He hit his nose pretty hard and cut his lip.

But, if the kid was gonna get hurt there was no better situation to be hurt in. We were two blocks from a hospital (so I was able to hold him during the ride). Plus, we were with family, and we could just leave Kade -for how ever long it would take, and not ever worry about him.

We thought he'd need stitches for his lip. But, the doctor said, that with lip injuries they don't do stitches very often anymore, because lips heal so quickly anyway, and there's less chance of infection. SO NO STITCHES!! Then, the doc said there's less of a chance of a concussion when a person lands on their face, verses some other part of the head. PHEW. We thought (and still do think) he broke his nose, but doc said, all we can do, whether the nose is broken or not, is wait for the swelling to go down and then see how it looks and visit an E.N.T doctor (which we already know one!)

Ben, as you can see by the picture, is still a happy kid and is doing great. Already the lip looks amazing, but the swollen nose and black eyes will be here awhile. (He won't let us ice it.)

They say "When ya have a boy, accidents are just part of the package" -now I know it to be true.

Aw, that will never happen. NEW NEW Goals -Pray even more every day, increase my faith, and hope for the best. Boys will be boys. ;)

Whoohoo Decorating!!

Since moving into our new home, I have acquired the help of my amazingly creative sister Katie for decorating help and advice.(Seriously she has some of the greatest ideas...and has the skills to make the things she thinks of...she's awesome.)

She came up with the ideas for this half wall nook/shelf space. I love it!! She painted and stained the frames for the pictures and then made the staggered Family letter blocks. I just got the blocks and this is the whole space finished. I think it looks pretty good!! I never would have put this together myself. I did, however, have the idea to put the scripture above the door -it's the "Establish a house of etc etc...." (That is my goal for our home.)

Also, Joe has been gone the last two weeks -back at class in Seattle. So, I have kept myself busy (once the boys are asleep) with decorating the master bedroom. I am almost finished and will post pictures soon.(I am waiting for Joe to get home tomorrow to help put up shelves.) This house has been fun to decorate and I'll keep ya posted. I am just happy things are coming together.

Pumpkin Patch

I love being here in St. G. There are so many things to do with the boys. Today, my mom and I took the boys to a great farm/pumpkin patch. It was a lot of fun and the first time either of the boys had gone to one.

There were games for them to play -sliding down a slide into dried corn, taking a wagon ride and a corn maze. We ate hotdogs and saw allt he live stock and other animals, and I think the boys had a lot of fun. I didn't have the camera with me the whole time, but I didn manage to snap a few pictures of the boys with a few pumpkins. (Although they're not exactly feeling the love for the camera.) Love making these kinds of memories!!

A Very Funny yet Very Sad Teeth Story.(Sorry so long)

Yesterday Ben had to go to the dentist go have a crown put on a poor little tooth with a big cavity. Although -I would say- we've been pretty good about brushing and flossing teeth, he still managed to need this type of work. I feel so bad.

But, I tried to gear him up for the whole thing -I knew it would be rough. We told him he had a tooth that wasn't very strong, and so the dentist was going to give him a "robot tooth". He was pretty excited about that idea -since he is in love with all things robot these days.

SAD PART
Our appointment was at 6:45am and Ben did very well waking up and going. He did fine until the doctor wanted to "show him a cool band-aid." There's no foolin' Ben. He knew exactly what the band aid was for and started crying and saying "NO!" He got his sedation shot and soon was limp and groggy .He let the dentist take him away from me. (That's when I got choked up. I hate handing over my child and leaving the boys alone while going through tough things, but it's something that's gonna happen a lot, and I held it together.)

I couldn't hear any screaming or noise at all out in front, so I assumed he'd did great. He didn't the dentist said he screamed the whole time. He wasn't in pain and wasn't crying tears, it was as if he was a kid having a nightmare. He screamed. Even with the laughing gas and another shot, he wasn't okay. They hurried and finished and I got to go to him. (That's when they told me he had been screaming. I wanted to bawl. Poor guy.)

Funny Part
So in the recovery room we sat on a couch and I just held the very sedated Ben, who would go in and out of emotions and thoughts. He ask to go home and then drift asleep for one minute then wake up and cry or talk to me.

Even though it was not a fun time, Ben was hilarious. At one point he looked at me, and his face got really confused. HE stared at me for awhile and finally asked. "Why do you have two mouths?" I couldn't help but laugh. Then he asked, "Why do you have four eyes?" I just told him, "I', just being silly." ('Cause how are you supposed to explain drugs and their affects to a three year old.) He would grab at the ceiling and ask what all those circles were (the lights and other things) He was pretty funny to watch even though I was just praying he'd come out of it quickly.

We got home and he was pretty much back to 100% within a few hours, and is not upset at all about his robot tooth. He doesn't remember AT ALL the procedure -the only thing he brings up is the shot. (For that I am very grateful.)

Moral of the Story
You can never brush or floss your kid teeth enough, and kids who are under medication can be very funny to watch. (I hope that doesn't sound bad.)

New Beginnings!

Ben started preschool! He's so big, and we all excited. These pics were from the first day of school. He picked out what he wanted to wear -down to the undies- and we loved wearing his back pack.

There was no crying or nervousness; he just walked right in and waved goodbye. This is the start of a whole new routine for the boys and me. It will be a good one!

After I dropped Ben off, Kade and I went to the park we love. It's just up the street from Ben's preschool. It was fun to play one on one with Kade. I rarely get that. We had a good time playing for an hour (almost half of which was spent on the swing). Kade is loving the undivided attention, and has started bringing me more books to read and starting to sing primary songs with me.

I love the types of change that bring growth. Ben will grow at school, and Kade will grow by having more time with me. I love it. I am loving St. G.

Also, I started my Institute class yesterday! I love it! I love having an additional class to learn what the Lord wants and expects of me. I love getting to really dive deep into the gospel. It's an hour and a half class, so we cover a lot. Whoo hoo!

Better Late then Never.

Back on the 24th of July, Joe and Ben were in the Pioneer parade in Enterprise, UT. Joe has to do the parade thing every year with the other firefighters. This year he figured Ben could join him on top of the big engine and throw out Frisbees.

I dropped Ben off to Joe and then found a great spot for me and Kade to watch the parade. Ben sat next to Smokey the Bear and enjoyed the parade. It was a lot of fun. (I haven't had the camera around to retrieve pics, plus I never blog anymore, it seems.)

Amazing To Me.

After a good reprimand from a friend, who said I needed to post more of the cute things the boys say or do, I am posting a quick post to do just that.

Ben has always been a good pray-er. But, lately he's been blowing me away with the thoughts he has, and the things he prays for, or about.

In one prayer, he said "Please help the bad guys want to repent and be good guys." I about died. 'Cause neither Joe or I ever prayer for "the bad guys to repent". It wasn't something he was repeating from us. It was something he was thinking about, and knew was a good thing (for bad guys to repent) and so he prayed for it.

And lately, he'll ask about the bad guy on a show...like Zurg, or Scar, etc. He'll ask, "Is he a bad guy?" I say "yeah", he says, "I'm gonna baptize him." I tell him that would be a great idea. He wants these things! I love it.

It is sweet, and I am praying everyday to be able to help him maintain this awesome desire into adulthood.
It has been on my mind, more lately, that parenthood is such an incredible responsibility. We hold these little children in our arms and we are to mold them and help the Lord shape them into the people they are suppose to be -to reach their greatest potential.

Ben has been driving it home, to me, that kids start out full of the spirit and full of the desire to do good. What they learn from us as their parents will either add to that or detract from it. I am ever prayerful for the Lord's help in this great calling of parenthood. Kids! What a blessing! What a responsibility!

The 4th with the Fam.....

This past Tuesday, my older sister and her two boy, came to visit and see our new place. We all were joined by my mom and younger sister, who came later. Fun was had by all, and though I have a lot of pictures, I still don't have pictures for everything we did this week. We swam and had a blast and the fireworks on the 4th were awesome, but I didn't get any pictures of those things....so this is just a gist of the good times had by all.The Boys! Reading and enjoying each others' company.I just liked this picture. Taken after a huge water fight ensued.

The water fight. Grandma and Katie were willing enough to get out there and get soaked! (I was pooped and and opted for the "observer" role.

A beautiful view of the St. G temple! LOVE IT!!!The boys posing during our little hike to the"DIXIE".

Pretty cool, and a fun quick hike...not too much for the kids or us old folks. After this picture we continued up the back and onto the top of the "Dixie". The view was beautiful.
A train ride with grandma at the park.
Cousin Gavin trying to win the contest.
All in all, this past week was a lot of fun. I loved having my family up visit and Ben and Kade always enjoy playing with cousins. (Especially the older boy cousins.)

A Bunch of Pictures!

It has been forever since I posted the cute little face of Ben and Kade. So, here are a few from as far back as Easter till now. Flying kites outside the "Enoch house". (Aw, sniffle sniffle. Love that house.)Kade holding fast to his kite with grandma. I can't get enough of that smile!

Kite flyin' with Dad...it got up there higher than that even. It was a Buzz Lightyear one of course.
Easter hunts -always a good idea. Ben's just like me. I close my eyes in almost every other picture.

I just loved this one 'cause Joe and Ben were both walking in sync.(Cute is as cute does.)

Kader-bum just about to dump his basket. He found alot.

My "silly Billy", one of Ben's many nicknames. He's wearing a BYU wig.

The big Jumping Jacks place here in St. G. This was only a quater of the room.....it was awesome! THe boys went crazy, had a blast, and wore them selves out!! LOVE THIS PLACE.

You can get the gist of just how fast Ben was movin' down this HUGE slide!

Kade -ever so chill. Love this little guy!
Cousin Ashton taking Ben for a ride on his real motorcycle. The first of MANY rides!!

Kade cruisin'! Kade loved it! (It was not fast and just one the side walk, plus Ashton is an incredibly great kid ,who I trusted.

Horse rides after cousin Stan's baptism! First time for Ben and Kade! The ever reliable Ashton helpin' me out so my little one could go. Thanks Ash!



Big boy! He could go by himself.

More to come. Just had to post something, sicne it's been so long.

Speaking and a Calling.

Today Joe and I had to speak in church. We were able to pick any article from the conference Ensign. I spoke on attending the temple. Love it! I really like our new ward. Great bishopric and very friendly people. Even the young man who spoke before me, told me good job when I sat down. We were both told A LOT that we did really well.....and that's always nice to hear. At least we've gotten the speaking out of the way and were able to make a good first impression.

The bishop had wanted to see us before we spoke, I thought "He's wanting to meet us and get to know us a little." Wrong! Out of nowhere, he states that the Relief Society has been needing a new teacher and would I be willing to except the call to teach once a month. Whoa -we've only been here three weeks! But, I absolutely excepted and started trying to absorb the idea.
I have taught in the R.S. many times before -I've served in the R.S. presidency even, but this is a whole new venture -it will be the first time I will be teaching to women older and wiser than myself -women who have more life experience etc.

I know the Lord gives us callings to stretch us, and I do like teaching, so I am excited for the call. My goal is to let the Spirit teach my lessons. If I can do that I will be successful.

Amazing Preschool!!

I just registered Ben for Preschool. I can not believe it! He is really old enough to be in preschool.

I am very excited about the preschool I have found for him! It is an "academic and preforming arts" preschool. They will teach NOT ONLY the ABC's and 123's, reading, writing and sign language, but also Dance (creative movement, tap, ballet, jazz, and yoga), Sports, Tumbling, Violin (when he's four), "Kindermusik" (which is movement and music), and Musical Theater!!!!! They will also have a big preformance at the end of each year with costumes and such!! I am so excited! And, it is about $15 more (a month) than the other preschools I looked up in the area!

I checked it out and met the teacher and she showed me around. I was impressed. The BEST part to the whole thing -the thing that SOLD me on this preschool versus any others, was the fact that they have a place for parents to go and sit and observe the class on three TVs, away from the class. Neither the kids or the teachers will know if you're out there watching. You could be there early or stay after you've dropped the kid off and observe. To me, that shows confidence in the teaching and class management. I love that their open and will let you "see for yourself".

He starts in September. Crazy! He'll be in preschool for two years and then off to kindergarten. Time just goes toooooo fast!

I'M BACK!! Finally!

We moved in about three weeks ago. I went out of town for a few days- right after we moved in- and then Joe has been in Seattle for the past two weeks -and because of that I haven't had the Internet to catch up with everybody.

So, Now I am back. I don't have house pics ready to post, but I'll get some soon!!

So far we have been really enjoying the move. The library is great; they have three story time hours a day on three different days. We have scored some great books! -and, the library is right next door to the "water park", which we go to a few times a week. Sooooo FUN!! (We go early before its really hot. Perfect.)

We also go to regular parks around town too. Really fun too -just hotter.

I have only been to the temple once since we've been here. (Joe was gone, and two noisy round boys wouldn't make for a very peaceful temple experience. ;D )

Here are my "St. George Goals"!!!!! I am very excited about this new chapter in my life, and want to grow!

1. Attend the temple, at least once, every week!!!! And, take my boys there once a week. (Around the grounds and visitor center. They like it.)

2.Work out and get out MORE! (NOT be a home-body!)

3.Date my husband a TON more!

4.Give blood every two months. (I did this in high school and every chance I could in college -It always made me feel like really good that I could do this easy thing that could help somebody.There's a Red Cross here!!!)

5. Start back at Institute in the Fall.

6. Be a mad awesome coupon user and save a ton of money that way!

7. Be overall more organized and more efficient.

Anyway, so far so good. I am so grateful for this new home and new change of pace...For more options, and more to do with and for the boys. I am glad Joe no longer has to commute and that family time will be consistent and plentiful. I am thankful to our Heavenly Father for His hand in my life and for this exciting move. I feel very blessed.

I will be catching up with you all as fast as I can.